Page 7 of Forever to Fall
“I need your help planning a housewarming party for Foxy.”
Mallory’s pulse spiked and she felt her mouth go as dry as cotton wool. “What?” she asked, striving to keep her tone light. She had to swallow three times before she relaxed.
Evan shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned back on his heels. “He’s basically moved in, but he doesn’t really know anyone in town. I know you are great at party planning, so I hoped you could help me get something together.”
Picking up her coffee cup, Mallory tried to hide her sour expression. Her attempts of hiding were interrupted by Alice’s question. “Who, or what, is Foxy?”
“My oldest friend, Beckett Fox. He just moved to Buckeye Falls.” He hitched a thumb toward Mallory, completely unaware of her internal meltdown. Warning alarms sounded in her head, blaring louder than the weather sirens of a tornado drill. Couldn’t he see the steam shooting from her ears?
Alice inched closer. “Old friend, huh?”
Evan, completely oblivious, kept on talking. “Oh yeah, since we were in elementary school. Mal’s friends with him, too. Isn’t that right? We all grew up together.”
“Mmhmm.” Was the only sound she could muster without looking completely deranged.
Helen, one of the other waitstaff, called Evan’s name from the kitchen and he excused himself. “Text me later and we’ll gameplan.” He waved over his shoulder as he strode back to work, his sneakers slapping on the tiled floor.
After draining the last of her coffee, Mallory hurriedly packed up her things. Snatching the check in her hands, she tried to stand up, but Alice was too quick. “Yeah, I don’t think so. You’re going to spill the beans on whatever this is.” She mirrored Mallory’s pinched expression and twirled her finger around her face. “You were asked to plan a housewarming, not an execution.”
“Same thing,” Mallory muttered as she eased back into the booth.
Alice checked her watch and grimaced. “I have ten minutes until I need to get to the library, and you need to start talking.” The look she gave her friend left no room for argument.
“Cliff Notesversion?” Mallory asked hopefully.
With a nod, Alice tapped her watch. “Get talking. I want the abridged version now, and the full story over drinks and that promised box of cheesy bites.”
“Beckett is Evan’s best friend.”
Alice blinked, waiting for more. “And he’s a total asshole?”
The notion of Beckett being anything but perfect brought a belly laugh from Mallory. “Hardly, he’s a sweetheart.”
“A sweetheart who’s mean to you?”
“No!” She practically shouted her denial. “Beckett is like Evan, kind of. He’s super sweet, patient, smart, kind, funny, and—” Her voice hitched as she flushed, images of all the reasons she loved Beckett flittering through her skull. Given the time, she could recite all the qualities she adored about him. Her head suddenly felt crowded, like when that last person squeezed onto an already crowded elevator.
Alice smirked. “You like him.” It was a statement, not a question.
Mallory’s rebuttal came out as a squeak. “I do not. He’s Evan’s friend, I’ve known him forever.” She flapped her hands in the air, as if able to send the truth away on the wind.
“How much of forever have you been pining after the guy?” Alice leaned over the table and poked Mallory’s arm. “Something is definitely up.”
“Nothing is up. I just haven’t seen him in a while.” Knowing that wasn’t enough of an excuse, she added, “Work has been crazy and I guess I’m tired. The idea of planning a party seems daunting.”
“If you think it will be a problem, we can ask Natalie or Ginny to help. It’s kind of their job.” Alice snorted, referring to the very successful event planning business her sister-in-law and friend ran. They could plan a large corporate event or a small wedding without breaking a sweat.
Mallory waved off the suggestion, although she appreciated Alice’s willingness to help. It wasn’t her fault that Mallory hadn’t been honest. “I’ll figure it out.”
Alice glanced at the time again and groaned. “You get a pass for now, but I know you’re holding out on me.” She gathered her treats and sniffed the bag. “Ugh, and this is the only reason I’m keeping my mouth shut about the other thing. I’d sooner eat a box of hair than lose access to these delights.”
Joining her friend, Mallory handed her credit card to the hostess and checked her phone. “You still free for happy hour next week?”
Alice shot her a thumbs-up. “You know it. James is out of town for a meeting with his agent, so the timing is perfect.” She kissed Mallory on the cheek before stepping outside. “Text me!”
Mallory paid and walked to her car, her mind going at a thousand miles an hour with no destination. She needed to help Evan with the party, otherwise she would have to come clean on why she didn’t want to. It was annoying to have yet another reason to be involved with Beckett beyond the wedding festivities, but she wouldn’t wallow—much.
Once she was behind the wheel, Mallory realized she couldn’t pinpoint why planning the party threw her. It was more than just seeing Beckett again. What she told Alice wasn’t a lie, as she felt overwhelmed with her workload at the hospital. But being in Beckett’s space, celebrating his return to her life, it felt too private to share with others, even with Evan. “Just rip the Band-Aid off,” she chastised herself the whole drive to the market.
